Visual display



Dec. 16, 1952 J. v. H. NEVILLE vI'su L DISPLAY Filed Sept. 23, 1949 FIG. I

LEGEND 7- MOTOR 8- COMPRESSOR 9.- EXPANSION TANK IO-SUPPLY TANK l6- AIR VENT 4- LIQUID (H.G.) Id-TIMING MECH.

FIG.7

FIG. 2

I /W I FIG. 3

r 1 I, I I I/ ll FIG-8 INVENTOR JOHN- V. H. NEVILLE ATTORNEYS FIG. 6

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VISUAL DISPLAY John V. H. Neville, Columbus, Mont. Application September 23, 1949, Serial No. 117,334

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a novel display device having a feature or features of animation.

It is an object of my invention to obtain a marked increase in the amount of attention given by the observing public to the design and/or writing inculcated in a display.

Another object is to provide an animated display so constructed as to give an observer the impression he is watching the actual writing of the sign as it progresses letter by letter or the actual outlining of the desired design, shape, or picture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and easy method of constructing an improved animated display.

It is a further object to provide an animated display device which lends itself to the changing of the animated portion of a display or design without changing the copy or advertising subject matter.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a simple and efiicient structure whereby an animated display can be arrested in any position desired or continued in animation by automatic control means.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the'several views, and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are alternative forms of structure for forming the desired passage through which a liquid display medium may travel.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view showing the masking of the desired passage as sometimes required when utilizing this invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view showing one form of masking arrangement used to provide the crossing over of the passage required when displaying written letters such as e.

Fig. 7 is a view along line 1-1 of Fig. 6 showing the letter "e when properly-formed through the use of masking.

- Fig. 8 is a front perspective showing the use of a copy element when a three panel form of the invention is utilized.

1 I n'Fig. 1 I show a front elevation of one form of my display device. It isconstructed of a substantially rigid medium which is transparent, partially transparent, or translucent. Within this medium is a continuous fluid passage 2 so patterned aster Iorm'the desired design, writing, or

picture, as the case may be. In Fig. 1 the desired display is the name John Doe. Any desired display may be outlined by a passage formed by any one of a number of ways shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Fig. 2 shows the use of two panels, their sides opposite and registering with complementary grooves forming the passage. Fig. 3 shows the use of two panels with only one panel grooved so as to form the desired passage. It is understood, of course, that the passage can be of circular, semi-circular, rectangular, or any other shape desired. Fig. 4 shows the use of three panels, the inner panel being cut out so as to provide the desired passage.

Adjacent to the intake end of the passage described above is a coupling 3 for attaching a source of liquid 4 under pressure. Adjacent to the opposite or outlet end of the said passage is a coupling 5 for attaching a system for returning the liquid to its source.

The source of supply of liquid under pressure may consist, but need not necessarily do so, of a supply chamber 6 so constructed as to provide, in conjunction with a source of compressed gas, controlled pressure on the liquid 4. In Fig. 1 the controlled pressure is shown being provided by a time controlled motor 1, a compressor 8, and a compression tank 9. It is understood, of course, that any controlled pressure will operate the device if properly co-ordinated with the progress of the liquid 4 through the passage 2 and its return to the supply chamber 6.

The supply chamber 6 consists of a chamber of sufiicient capacity to hold considerably more than enough liquid to completely fill passage 2. In its upper portion it has an inlet connection I0 to admit compressed gas and another inlet connection I l to admit the return flow of liquid when the check valve I2 is in open position. In its lower portion the supply chamber 6 has an outlet con nection [3 for connection with the coupling 3 and passage 2.

Attached at its upper portion by a tubular connection I4 to the outlet connection 5 of the passage 2 is a return system comprising a collection chamber [5 having a small air vent It in its upper portion and a tubular conduit l1 extending from its lower portion to the upper portion of the supply chamber 6. The connection l4 and the air vent I6 need not necessarily be at the very uppermost portion of the collection chamber so long as the collection chamber is sufliciently large that the level of the liquid will not ever reach either opening. It is imperative, however, that the air vent always be above that level.

Within the tubular conduit H, but preferably at either end, is a check valve 12 which is so constructed and disposed as to allow the liquid to flow downwardly because of its own weight from the collection chamber into the supply chamber 8, and to prevent compressed gas from flowing from the supply chamber 6 to the collection chamber l5 through the tubular conduit I1. It is also imperative in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 that the collection chamber l5 be at a higher elevation than the source of supply of liquid so that the liquid will return to its source because of its own weight. Of course, it is understood that such an arrangement is not necessaryif a substi tute arrangement, such as an additional pressure system, is made for the return of the 'liquidto its source or a sufliciently large supply is used at the source of liquid so as to obviate the need of returning the liquid to its source except at intervals of time of considerablellength.

Desirable effects can often beobtained by placing a" thin sheet of opaque or p'art'iallyopa'que backing l8' on the back of' th'e display medium. This isespecially true whenthisfidevice is used in conjunction with artificial illumination.

When using this device to display script it is often necessary toblockfrorn the observers sight a portion of passage 2 by masking. Fig. 5 shows one method of masking the portion of the passage 2 which it is not considered desirable for the observer to see. It is comprised, of athin layer 19 of non-transparent material so disposed between the panels of'the sign as to be between the passage and the observer, thereby obstructing the'line of vision of the observer.

Fig. 6 shows one method of providing for a means of having the passage crossover itself whenever necessary as, for, instance, whenfthe written letter e is to be displayed. In such an instance each of the two panels of the sign would have one passage which would be separated from the rear passage by a strip of thin masking 22. fluid would first pass through the front passage 20 and then through the rear passage 2|, thereby crossing under the front passage so as to form the letter e as shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 3 shows in front perspective a display utllizing'a, replaceable element. As shown, the display consists of three panels, the middle one of which is removable. It is the inner panel which contains the passagewhich outlines the desired design. By such an arrangement it is easily possible tochange the design or writing within the display at frequent intervals without prohibitive cost.

It should be noted that any number of displays can be arranged in series, utilizing the same flow of liquid, through the use of masking. It is not intended to limit the invention to a single display or arrangement such as has been utilized for the purpose of explaining its construction and operation.

The supply chamber 6 will ordinarily, but not necessarily, be located behind, below, or to one side of the display in such a manner as to be out of the view of the observer. It may consist of a chamber separate from the passage 2 or it may be merely an enlarged section of the passage itself. It may be made of any suitable material sufilciently strong to withstand the pressure necesary to force the liquid through passage 2 into the collection chamber I5 and of any desired shape. It is believed the device would operate when the check valve I2 is open.

20 'or 2|, the forward one of In operation, the

even if the inlet connections l0 and H were located in the lower portion of the supply chamber 6 but the preferred form is as shown in Fig. 1.

The collection chamber [5 will ordinarily, but not necessarily, be located behind, below, Or to one side of the display in such a manner as to be out of the view of the observer. It may be made of any suitable material sufiiciently strong tohold the liquid which empti esinto itand of any desired shapeso longas the relative positions of the inlet and outlets described above are maintained. It may consist of a chamber separate from the passage 2 or it may be merely an enlarged section of the passage itself. It is conceivable-that any large sized receptacle could be used to receive the liquid if an unlimited supplywereprovided at the intake end. With such an arrangement, the large sized receptacle would need to be emptied only occasionally, either manually, or by aLsepar-ate return system.

Such" an arrangemenhof course, would require.- that the liquid and, compressed ases pumped alternately ,throughflthe passage 2 for 'predeter';

minedjperiods of time if" a animated display.-

isd'es'ired.

The conduit llmay b'e. madeof anysuitable material with an inside diameter siiflicient ,1 w. permit. the liquidfto flow back, into .the supply; chamber 6 in arelatively ,shfort periodfofTtirne as compared to the time required to' force the,

liquid through the passage 2.

Although I do not limit my invention to. any

particular liquid, I find that a 'heavyliquidlsuchas mercury is particularly. well. adapted for' use'.

in my device. Mercury is especiallysuitable be cause it does not adhere to the'sides of the passage and its weight is sufficient to drive out all,

air bubbles of anyconsequence which would de-. tract from the effectiveness of the displayl'.

The purpose of the compression tank9 isito remove any thumping effect which mightfbe, caused by'the compressor if it were connectedvv directly to the supply chamber 6. The effect. of such a tank is to act as a cushion against.

such thumping, thereby providing .a steady pressure onthe liquid and acorrespondingly steady... how of the liquid as it progresses throughthe' passage 2.

It is' contemplated that this device will beused. in many ways to give eifectiveness to. various displays of all typesof pictorial mattersscript, and designs. shown in Fig. l to add effectiveness to th'ecentral portion of the display which is John Doi;

by outlining with thepassage the central pore tlon with an oblong, circular, square, rectangular,

hexagonal, octagonal, or otherwise .shaped fi'gure.

The number of possibilitiesfor its use are un'.- limited.

Operation In operation, as shownin Fig. 1, the motor l is timed so as to runthe compressor 8 only so long as necessary to force all ofa predeter mined amount of the liquid from the chamber 6 through the passage2 and into the collection chamber |5. When {the level-of the liquid in the supply chamber 6 has beenforceddownwardly by the compressed gas to a point below the level of the .outletfconnection l3, the

gas will run up through thepassa'ge. zfforcing the liquid beforeiit into'thef-collectionchamber I5, thereby permitting the compressed ,ga'sitb escape through the'air-ventI l6. 'When the time necessary for the accomplishment of this result For example, it is possible as,

accuse has expired, motor 1 is cut off by a timing device, thereby stopping the compressing action of the compressor 8. As soon as the last of the liquid has been forced into theupper portion of the collection chamber l5, the compressed gas escapes through the air vent it which is Open at all times. This in turn reduces the pressure throughout the passage 2 and the supply chamber 6. This pressure has been maintained in supply chamber 6 only through the automatic closing of the check valve I2 caused by the initial flow of the gas from the supply chamber 6 into the tubular connection H, which resulted when the compressor 8 commenced operation. When the pressure is reduced in the supply chamber 6, the weight of the liquid which has collected in collection chamber I5 is sufilcient to force open check valve l2, thereby permitting the liquid to flow back into the source of liquid. After all the liquid has descended through the tubular conduit ll past the check valve l2 and into the supply chamber 6 the time controlled motor again commences to run the compressor 8, which in turn builds up pressure in the compression tank 8 and the supply chamber 6. The gas attempts to escape through the check valve 12, which action causes the check valve [2 to close, thereby permitting a pressure to be built up suflicient to force the liquid downwardly and outwardly through the outlet connection It and again through the passage 2. The net result of the entire operation described above is to give an observer the impression he is observing for the first time the writing of a written message or the outline of a new display.

Wherever, hereafter, the term at least translucent is used, unless otherwise expressly limited, it is intended to be used in its broadest sense so as to include all semi-transparent, totally transparent and partially transparent materials. Also, wherever, hereafter, the term design is used, it is intended to be used in its broadest sense so as to include any display whether it be pictorial, writing, or any other type desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A display device for use in conjunction with a source of liquid and a time controlled, intermittently operated pump for exerting pressure on such liquid, said device having in combination a substantially rigid, at least translucent medium defining a continuous passage of relatively small depth, said passage being arranged in desired design and capable of conducting a fluid flow so as to provide an animated display, an intake connection adjacent one end of said passage for connecting said passage with a source of liquid under pressure, an outlet connection adjacent the opposite end of said passage for connectin the same with a return system to said source, a return system comprising a collection chamber disposed at a higher elevation than the source of said liquid and having a small air vent in its upper portion, means for connecting the discharge end of said passage with the upper portion of said collection chamber, a tubular conduit extending from the lower portion of said collection chamber to the source of said liquid, and a check valve in said tubular conduit constructed so as to permit fluid flow from said collection chamber to said supply chamber and prevent fluid flow from said supply chamber to said collection chamber, and a controlled liquid supply system, comprising a supply chamber having an outlet connection in its lower portion communicating with the intake end of said passage, an intake connection in its upper,

portion for connecting said supply chamber with a controlled source of compressed gas, and another intake connection in its upper portion for connecting said supply chamberwith the said tubular conduit extending fromv the lower portion of said collection chamber.

2. A display device having in combination a substantially rigid, at least translucent medium defining a continuous passage of relatively small depth, said passage being arranged in desired de sign and capable of conducting a fluid flow so as to provide an animated display, an intake connection adjacent one end of said passage for connecting said passage with a source of liquid under pressure, an outlet connection adjacent the opposite end of said passage for connecting the same with a return system to said source, a return system comprising a collection chamber disposed at a higher elevation than the source of said liquid and having a small air vent in its upper portion, means for connecting the discharge end of said passage with the upper portion of said collection chamber, a tubular conduit extending from the lower portion of said collection chamber to the source of said liquid, and a check valve in said tubular conduit constructed so as to permit fluid flow from said collection chamber to said supply chamber and prevent fluid flow from said supply chamber to said collection chamber, a controlled source of compressed gas comprising a compression tank, a compressor and a time controlled motor for driving said compressor, said tank having an outlet connection communicating with the intake end of said supply chamber and an inlet connection communicating with the discharge of said compressor, and said time controlled motor being regulated to operate said compressor for a given length of time at given predetermined intervals, and a controlled liquid supply system, comprising a supply chamber having an outlet connection in its lower portion communicating with the intake end of said passage, an intake connection in its upper portion for connecting said supply chamber with the said tubular conduit extending from the lower portion of said collection chamber, and an intake connection in its upper portion for connecting said supply chamber with said tank.

3. A display device for use in conjunction with a time controlled, intermittently operated pump provided to create pressure on a source of liquid, said device having in combination a substantially rigid at least translucent medium defining a continuous passage of relatively small depth, said passage being arranged in desired design and capable of conducting a fluid flow so as to provide an animated display and having an inlet and an outlet, a supply chamber adapted to contain therein a supply of liquid and adapted to be connected for fluid flow at its upper portions with such a pump and connected for fluid flow at its lower portions with said inlet, a collection chamber disposed at a higher elevation than said supply chamber and having a small air vent in its upper portion and being adapted to be connected by its upper portion to said outlet, and fluid communication means extending between the lower portions of said collection chamber and the upper portions of said supply chamber, said means having valve mechanism therein con- 

